Recommendations on a wireless router? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Wingman · 2006-09-05, 07:57 PM

I am looking for recommendations on a good wireless router for general home use. I don't anticipate using it for any intense gaming or anything like that, but would appreciate having a speed comparable to my current plug-right-into-the-modem set up. I would also want some security features as well.

My laptop is wireless g compatible.

D-link? Linksys? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Jake · 2006-09-05, 08:42 PM

You are going to get suggestions for just about every model. Since Wireless-n is now filling the shelves I suggest you get a wireless-g model. Many go for less than $50 and sales will have them going for less. I started with an Ethernet Linksys router and now have a no-name brand wireless router called Trendnet that I picked up for $10 including a wireless-g USB adapter. I am happy with it but one big caution. Get one that supports WPA-PSK (mine does). Some older models don't. Linksys has good support and provide firmware fixes and updates. I can't say the same about some of the no name brands.

Proteosome · 2006-09-05, 11:32 PM

The only security feature you need is WPA encryption with a suitably random and suitably long password.

With this in place, no one will be able to hack your wireless connection.

elapsed · 2006-09-05, 11:40 PM

I would purchase a Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GL. I've found them as low as $40 here in Vancouver. This model is 802.11g, and supports WPA encryption. Firmware updates are excellent, and overall the series is extremely reliable.

diogen · 2006-09-05, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elapsed

I would purchase a Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GL.

Another vote for WRT54G. Below $50.
And get Sveasoft or DD-WRT (3-rd party firmware) on it.
Forget about "N". It's too new, beta status and will take at least a year to make it manageable. For 3X the price.

Diogen.

cyclo · 2006-09-05, 11:58 PM

Dell has the Linksys WRT54G on sale today (not sure about tomorrow) for $49:

The Linksys is on the lower right corner

The WRT54G supports WPA, WPA2 with both PSK and AES encryption.

Given a choice however, I would suggest getting a WRT54GL... but only if you are into flashing/tweaking firmwares and stuff. You can basically flash the "GL" with an open source firmware like DD-WRT that can add more functionality to the router... such as using it as a wireless bridge.

Iluvota · 2006-09-06, 07:51 AM

About the WRT54G..... I had a version 2 and it died. It was replaced by a version 4 which is not Linux based therefore very limited 3rd party firmware support.

I must say it is much more solid than the previous versions and a much better connection overall.

Iluvota

cyclo · 2006-09-06, 08:50 AM

Version 4 is actually GL, it could be flashed to use open source software. Version 5, 6, and 7 uses half the RAM and half the ROM (Flash Memory). More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G

Wingman · 2006-09-06, 09:28 AM

Thanks for everyone's input! It is always nice to have a bit of background opinion when making an electronics/computer purchase.

Jake · 2006-09-06, 09:31 AM

A lot of these suggestions are for people who like to tweak their routers and are blessed with the geek gene. For the average Joe any stock Linksys (g) will do.

Digital Home Word of the Day: bricked

otown47 · 2006-09-06, 09:54 AM

I've had a DLink DI524 for a year now and it works fine.

123sxu · 2006-09-06, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otown47

I've had a DLink DI524 for a year now and it works fine.

Same here.

No problems. Its fast, reliable, and has been capable of doing everything I've thrown its way...I mean everything!

MediaRoomManiac · 2006-09-14, 12:16 AM

Just picked up the DLink DIR-625 (N router) and the Laptop card for it. I must say their setup/user interface screen is very well detailed and has tonnes of features. The connectivity speeds are very good even from my main floor laptop (router/modem are on my 2nd floor). Surprisingly I am able to get signal/connectivity from my basement which I couldnt' do with my previous G routers. Quite impressed with this N technology (actually MIMO technology) that sends multiple signals out via multiple antennas and allow faster, farther data transmission to occur.

I have yet to have a dropped connection with this router (knock on wood). I got it when it was on sale at BB for $99 and I must say I'm impressed. Even though this is Pre-N or Draft N spec, I am not regretting buying into such a new technology as it is proving to be very reliable and fast.

Linksys is good also (Cisco technology), but I wasn't impressed with the signal quality and range of the WRT54G router, that's why I traded in for this one.

Had bad luck with Dlink in the past, but they have improved quite a bit.

inoutinout7 · 2007-01-09, 11:51 AM

Hello, I'm running a netgear mr814 2wireless router and looking for an upgrade kit that is more reliable and not too expensive too.

This netgear mr814 keeps cutting out on me.

THkds

diogen · 2007-01-09, 12:07 PM

I'd recommend Linksys WRT54G (try to find an older version where you can mod the firmware) if wireline 1Gbps is not a must.

Diogen.

2006-09-05, 07:57 PM	#1
Wingman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto (Rogers Cable) Posts: 10	Recommendations on a wireless router? I am looking for recommendations on a good wireless router for general home use. I don't anticipate using it for any intense gaming or anything like that, but would appreciate having a speed comparable to my current plug-right-into-the-modem set up. I would also want some security features as well. My laptop is wireless g compatible. D-link? Linksys? Any advice would be much appreciated.

2006-09-05, 08:42 PM	#2
Jake Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gatineau and Ottawa Posts: 10,239	You are going to get suggestions for just about every model. Since Wireless-n is now filling the shelves I suggest you get a wireless-g model. Many go for less than $50 and sales will have them going for less. I started with an Ethernet Linksys router and now have a no-name brand wireless router called Trendnet that I picked up for $10 including a wireless-g USB adapter. I am happy with it but one big caution. Get one that supports WPA-PSK (mine does). Some older models don't. Linksys has good support and provide firmware fixes and updates. I can't say the same about some of the no name brands. __________________ Tip: See an offending post? Don't reply, report it by clicking on the 'Report Post' icon.

2006-09-05, 11:32 PM	#3
Proteosome Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: London Posts: 1,793	The only security feature you need is WPA encryption with a suitably random and suitably long password. With this in place, no one will be able to hack your wireless connection. __________________ Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.

2006-09-06, 09:31 AM	#10
Jake Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gatineau and Ottawa Posts: 10,239	A lot of these suggestions are for people who like to tweak their routers and are blessed with the geek gene. For the average Joe any stock Linksys (g) will do. Digital Home Word of the Day: bricked __________________ Tip: See an offending post? Don't reply, report it by clicking on the 'Report Post' icon.

2006-09-14, 12:16 AM	#13
MediaRoomManiac Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ajax, ON Posts: 299	Just picked up the DLink DIR-625 (N router) and the Laptop card for it. I must say their setup/user interface screen is very well detailed and has tonnes of features. The connectivity speeds are very good even from my main floor laptop (router/modem are on my 2nd floor). Surprisingly I am able to get signal/connectivity from my basement which I couldnt' do with my previous G routers. Quite impressed with this N technology (actually MIMO technology) that sends multiple signals out via multiple antennas and allow faster, farther data transmission to occur. I have yet to have a dropped connection with this router (knock on wood). I got it when it was on sale at BB for $99 and I must say I'm impressed. Even though this is Pre-N or Draft N spec, I am not regretting buying into such a new technology as it is proving to be very reliable and fast. Linksys is good also (Cisco technology), but I wasn't impressed with the signal quality and range of the WRT54G router, that's why I traded in for this one. Had bad luck with Dlink in the past, but they have improved quite a bit. __________________ Sony KDL46HX800, BDPS470\|Pio 1020\|PS3 80G\|Athena AS-F1s, C1\|Energy VMinis, V10\|Moto VIP1232\|HOne\|APC UPS

2006-09-05, 11:40 PM	#4
elapsed Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 714	I would purchase a Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GL. I've found them as low as $40 here in Vancouver. This model is 802.11g, and supports WPA encryption. Firmware updates are excellent, and overall the series is extremely reliable.

2006-09-05, 11:58 PM	#6
cyclo Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 662	Dell has the Linksys WRT54G on sale today (not sure about tomorrow) for $49: The Linksys is on the lower right corner The WRT54G supports WPA, WPA2 with both PSK and AES encryption. Given a choice however, I would suggest getting a WRT54GL... but only if you are into flashing/tweaking firmwares and stuff. You can basically flash the "GL" with an open source firmware like DD-WRT that can add more functionality to the router... such as using it as a wireless bridge.

2006-09-06, 07:51 AM	#7
Iluvota Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 29	About the WRT54G..... I had a version 2 and it died. It was replaced by a version 4 which is not Linux based therefore very limited 3rd party firmware support. I must say it is much more solid than the previous versions and a much better connection overall. Iluvota

2006-09-06, 08:50 AM	#8
cyclo Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 662	Version 4 is actually GL, it could be flashed to use open source software. Version 5, 6, and 7 uses half the RAM and half the ROM (Flash Memory). More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G

2006-09-06, 09:28 AM	#9
Wingman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto (Rogers Cable) Posts: 10	Thanks for everyone's input! It is always nice to have a bit of background opinion when making an electronics/computer purchase.

2006-09-06, 09:54 AM	#11
otown47 Veteran Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ottawa, Rogers Posts: 3,903	I've had a DLink DI524 for a year now and it works fine.

2007-01-09, 11:51 AM	#14
inoutinout7 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 23	Best wireless router kit?? Hello, I'm running a netgear mr814 2wireless router and looking for an upgrade kit that is more reliable and not too expensive too. This netgear mr814 keeps cutting out on me. THkds

2007-01-09, 12:07 PM	#15
diogen . Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,201	I'd recommend Linksys WRT54G (try to find an older version where you can mod the firmware) if wireline 1Gbps is not a must. Diogen.

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